The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-07

plain view of the car windows. This is in Ad-
ans county, in the southwestern part of the
State. The chief occupation OF the lcarians IS
agriculture in which they have been moderately
successful. While thrifty, careful. economical.
and Industrious, they do not think that the sole
aim of life is work hard and hoard ND money.
They have some highly ethereal ideas, which,
indeed. if they could be made to work would
bring millennial period 10 mankind They
believe that the who lives quietly ana
camly. developing his mental and moral iacui-
ties and emancipating himself from the baser
cares and demands of .'the world, the flesh, and
the devil" does wisely and well, now
poor he may be. When the long
time quiet and peaceful community became
twain there meub ership of one hundred
and fifty or more. Young and ambitious mem
bers withdrew every once in a while. the COM
munity paying them stipend from the common
treasury, and of they went to try life on the
American plan of every man for himself ami
the devil take the hndmost." When the split
took place the older heads took away forty or
fifty persons, most of them w ite haired vener-
able old people, whose very appearance seems TO
prove that the claim they make of living bet
ter and more advanced life than those OF the
world around them is not altogether groundless
They proverbial for their politeness aud
demeanor TO each other and to those with whom
they come in contact. The young colony Is
anxious to sell it's land and go TO California.
where good many of its members are already
living. Within few years at the most this re-
markable experiment. IN communlstic life Will
live only In history
Iowa has one other communal society. the In
sprationists at Amana. in Iowa county. This
society, however. is rich, Its possessions cover
ing some %. 900 acres of land, with population
exceeding 800, divided into seven villages
The people engage variously in manufacturing
and farming. They have several wooden, saw and
grist mills and tanneries, and their goods are
staple articles in the marker. Each family has
its house, like the lcarians and all cook and eat
together in centrals At the table, however, the
men and women separated ito prevent silly
conversation and tri6ing conduct" At the head
of the organization is a woman who is supposed
by the mem bers to speak by the direct 'inspira-
ton of God" Hence their name. They came
from Germany New York State in 1912. and
to Iowa in 1856. The society owes it's foundation
to al ignorant servant maid, who for many years
the Inspired oracle" of Amana The
name Amana is taken from the Song of Solo
mon. iv g. Though woman founded the
cety, and is considered the .'oracle" through
whom come the commands of God, yet the wom-
OF the community required to work hard,
dress plainly, and avoid association with man.
kind. Notwithstanding which there mar
riages and much domestic comfort and happi-
One of their leading writer's advises men
to "fy from Intercourse with women a very
dangerous magnetic and magical fire." Amuse-
ments generally are forbidden; even photographs
and pictures are not allowed Their rules of
daily life very strict and severe. enjoining
abstinence, penitence and deep devotion. This
society is successful financially, say the
least. The members good citizens, pay
their taxes avoid litigation, and, if they find
happiness In complying with Their rigid rules OF
government, who can say them nay2